News & market updates

Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 336.50/80 to the US dollar in the spot market (from 335.15/40 the prior day); bond yields were broadly steady and a Rs70bn Treasury bill auction is scheduled.

Asian stocks wobbled after a global tech- and semiconductor-led selloff, with MSCI’s Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index down 0.02%. Market caution was driven by concerns about higher interest rates (Fed/BoJ), falls in oil and gold, and volatility around currencies and tech sector valuations.

First Capital Research: aggregate earnings of 271 listed companies fell 11.4% YoY in the March 2026 quarter (third straight quarter), but underlying earnings rose 30.1% YoY after adjusting for major one-offs. Food, Beverage & Tobacco dragged the aggregate result while retailing and telecom posted strong gains (e.g. UML, DIAL, SLTL, SINS).

Headline NCPI inflation rose to 5.4% YoY in May from 4.7% in April, the third consecutive monthly increase. Rises were driven by higher petrol and LP gas prices and increases in several food items (vegetables, fish, onions), while rice, eggs and sugar eased; core inflation edged to 4.5%.

Rs.70bn Treasury Bill auction scheduled today (Rs.35bn 91-day, Rs.25bn 182-day, Rs.10bn 364-day); secondary bond yields traded mixed with the short end marginally lower and medium maturities slightly higher. Call money 9.21%, repo 9.24%, USD/LKR ~335.00/335.50.

Lee Hedges PLC revised payment terms for its Rs.3.16 billion acquisition of Lanka Realty Developments, making an initial Rs.1.1bn payment and deferring Rs.2.06bn payable within six months at AWPLR+1.5%. Vendors transferred their LRD shares on receipt of the initial payment and Lee Hedges will own 100% on completion.

SANASA Life Insurance PLC will issue up to 5 million unrated, unlisted, unsecured Tier II subordinated cumulative redeemable debentures to raise up to Rs. 500 million via private placement; trustee concurrence, 75% holder approval and SEC conditions have been obtained.

Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 335.15/40 to the US dollar in the spot market (from 334.50/75 the previous day); bond yields were broadly steady and a Rs70bn Treasury bill auction is scheduled for Wednesday.

Secondary bond market yields held broadly steady, with the 15.06.29 maturity at 10.92% and other maturities trading around 10.60%-11.90%. Money-market liquidity surplus was Rs.44.16bn, overnight call/Repo averaged 9.21%/9.24%, and USD/LKR closed at 334.45/334.75.

Sri Lanka rupee quoted at 334.40/335.00 to the US dollar on Tuesday, marginally weaker than the previous day, while shorter-tenor government bond yields edged lower (e.g. the 01.03.2030 bond quoted at 11.00/05% vs 11.00/10%).

Seylan Bank PLC has partnered with Sathosa Motors PLC to offer a dedicated leasing facility for ISUZU commercial and passenger vehicles, with 24-hour fast-track approvals, up to seven-year payment terms, competitive interest rates and vehicle discounts (LKR100,000 on trucks; LKR200,000 on double cabs) plus service/spare-parts benefits.

Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 334.50/75 to the US dollar in the spot market, while government bond yields were broadly steady with most quoted maturities unchanged and a few minor upticks in longer-dated bonds (e.g. 15.06.2034 and 15.03.2035).

Sri Lanka's NCPI inflation rose to 5.4% in May 2026 from 4.7% in April. Food inflation increased to 1.5% and non-food inflation to 8.6%; the 12-month moving average rose to 2.4% and the NCPI was up 1.2% month-on-month.

Asian markets rose after Iranian and US negotiators reported progress in peace talks, helping Brent crude drop 1.9% to $79.01/bbl; at the same time a hawkish Federal Reserve outlook kept Treasury yields and the dollar firm, keeping rate risks prominent.

Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 333.50/334.50 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday; bond yields were broadly steady, with maturities from Dec-2029 to Mar-2035 quoted roughly 10.85%–11.90%.

Secondary bond market rallied, driving yields sharply lower across the curve and prompting a drop in T‑bill auction rates — the 91-day yield fell to 10.02% and the 182-day to 10.16%. Foreign holdings of rupee government securities rose marginally to Rs. 121.35 billion and money-market liquidity narrowed to Rs. 31.25 billion.

US dollar eased ahead of the US PCE inflation print after the Fed left rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% and removed guidance on additional rate moves; the DXY trades near 100.70 after a 13‑month high, with markets also watching global PMIs, oil and gold.

SDB bank (SDB.N0000) launched a fixed deposit campaign offering rates up to 11.25% p.a. for 120–390 day tenures. The time-bound drive aims to boost deposit mobilization amid rising market interest rates and is available via branches and digital channels.

An IMF country team will visit Sri Lanka from June 24–30 to assess the country's economic recovery and formally review progress on its economic reform program. The delegation will meet government authorities and stakeholders to take stock of recent economic developments.

Sri Lanka's Central Bank has opened a public consultation on its inflation target review ahead of an October decision, inviting comments through 15 July 2026. The current MPFA target is 5% (±2%) set in October 2023 and the review is required at least every three years under the new Central Bank Act.

Sri Lanka has issued a Gazette to systematically monitor imports, requiring detailed importer information and mandating banks to assign a separate identification number for each transaction to curb illicit foreign-exchange outflows. The move follows disclosures of scams using fake company registrations and aims to protect reserves without fully restricting trade.

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has asked President Dissanayake to cut the Central Bank’s inflation target to 2% ahead of the October 2026 statutory review. He cited recent inflation breaches (5.4% in April, 5.5% in May), currency weakness and fuel-driven price pressures as reasons.

Sri Lanka sold Rs5,170 million of Treasury bills on tap at an average yield of 10.16%, bringing total bills sold this week to Rs75,170 million; settlement is June 19.

Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 333.50/334.00 to the US dollar on Friday (from 333.90/334.20), while government bond yields fell further — e.g., a 01.03.2030 bond quoted at 10.95/11.00% down from 11.05/15%.

Secondary bond market retained positive momentum as yields eased on selected tenors (e.g. 15.12.26 at 10.05–10.15%, 01.05.27 at 10.40%). Money market showed a Rs.31.20bn net liquidity surplus with Rs.59.22bn at SDFR; USD/LKR closed at Rs.333.75/334.10 on $97.15m traded.

LankaRates.com offers a free website that aggregates rates from 60+ banks and finance companies—exchange rates, fixed deposits (including foreign-currency), savings, money market and gold—providing history charts and source-linked, regularly updated figures for easy comparison.

Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 333.90/334.20 to the US dollar in the spot market, little changed from the prior day, while government bond yields fell across several maturities (notably 2029–2035 maturities showed declines).

Fitch says a rising share of emerging-market sector outlooks are 'deteriorating' as the US–Iran war disrupts oil supplies, explicitly flagging APAC banks in Sri Lanka and the Philippines as hit by the shock. Sovereigns may see spillovers to growth, inflation and bond yields.